New to the pool forum website

Hello, and thanks in advance for all the information on this website. My pool is inground, plaster, 18500 gallons. The pool filter is a Hayward DE, with a 1.13 HP pump. There is one skimmer for the pool. After reading all of the information on this website for almost a year, I decided to join in the fun. I haved lived in my home since 1999, and my method of caring for the pool has been chlorine tablets, and shock. I started using a bromine blue liquid a few years ago called "No More Problems" to add with the shock to prevent algae. I backwash every other week, and clean the leaves and debris manually, no Polaris. After reading many of the posts, I started using bleach within the last few months, and stopped using chlorine tablets in the skimmer. I also did not shock the pool after backwashing the last time. Previously I added two large scoops of shock after backwashing and then added 8 oz. of bromine. Worked fine. Then I bought a Taylor K2006 test kit. I The pool chlorine level was very high within the past few weeks, and I let the level drop to zero to test the water. I tested the water this morning and my results are: FC 0 CC 0 ph 7.8 TA 120 CH 800 and CA way over 100 ppm. When testing for CH, the color went to pink and then lavender. The pool generally looks clean, but several readings are way off, according to the desired levels that I have read on your website. Thanks.

I asked Ben to look at your post. Since you added the bromine, he will be the best one to advise you. By the way, thanks for subscribing! We appreciate the support in keeping our forum alive!

Hi Surefoot;

One of my basic rules is, "If it isn't broken, don't fix it!". The numbers matter less than the results -- you swim in a pool, not in a bunch of numbers.

You could tear up a heater with those numbers, but it sounds like you don't have one -- so that's not an issue.

So . . . I'm not sure I'd recommend changing anything, other than the switch to bleach you are already planning. If you drop the bromine now, you'll have to switch to running VERY high levels of chlorine. Given your other numbers, you could end up with complications that would spoil your summer.

Instead, why don't you run just like you have been, but switch to bleach as your chlorine source.

It wouldn't hurt to get some muriatic acid, and gradually -- no rush -- lower your pH.

But I would not recommend any big changes, until this fall. Then look at it again. If your costs and chemical consumption are out of line, we can look at switching. Otherwise, "if it isn't broke, don't fix it!".

Ben

Thanks, Ben. Should I am for 7.5 as a target for ph?

pH of 7.5 is probably good- but some pools will drift from that higher or lower; anything between 7.2 and 7.8 is good.
If your pool drifts up, when 7.7 or 7.8 adjust it down to maybe 7.5
If your pool drifts low, when it goes to 7.2 or 7.3, adjust up to maybe 7.6